When Chris Olukolade Piwuna, President of Academic Staff Union of Universities stepped up to the podium at the University of Abuja on Sunday, 12 October 2025, he announced a two‑week nationwide strike slated to begin at midnight on Monday. The move caps a two‑week ultimatum that the union had given the Federal Government of Nigeria, and it marks the first industrial action under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Background of the dispute

ASUU’s grievances stretch back years. In 2017 the union secured a funding agreement that promised a 25 % increase in university allocations, yet successive budgets have fallen short. By 2025, more than 35,000 academic staff across the country’s 44 federal universities were still waiting for promised cash injections, upgraded laboratories, and regularised pay scales.

The last major clash was the eight‑month strike of 2022, which only ended after an industrial court ordered a suspension. That experience left a bitter taste for many lecturers, who say they learned the hard way that a legal showdown can drag on for months.

ASUU announces the strike

At the press briefing, Piwuna said, “It is regrettable to note that nothing significant has happened to change the position of the NEC since we last briefed the press.” He went on to declare that all branches of ASUU were to withdraw their services from midnight on 13 October.

The union framed the action as a “total and comprehensive” warning strike, a phrase that signals both seriousness and a willingness to extend the walk‑out if the government stays idle. The strike will affect every federal university—from the bustling campuses of Lagos State University to the quieter halls of the University of Maiduguri—and it will halt teaching for roughly 14 days.

In a short video that went viral on social media, lecturers in the north whispered, "Midnight, we’re out," while a group in the south posted a montage of empty lecture theatres. The vibe was palpable: fatigue, frustration, and a stubborn resolve.

Government response and ‘No Work, No Pay’ threat

Minutes after the union’s declaration, the Ministry of Education, led by Dr. Tunji Olukayode Alausa, rushed out a statement. "President Tinubu remains committed to ending the ASUU strike," the minister said, adding that the government had put forward a "comprehensive offer" addressing key concerns.

But the minister also warned that the long‑standing "No Work, No Pay" rule would be enforced if the strike proceeded. That rule, a standard public‑sector policy, mandates salary suspension for employees who abandon their duties without lawful authorization.

"Dialogue remains the most effective path," the ministry’s press release read, yet the tone hinted at a hard line. The government’s offer included a modest 12 % budget increase for universities in the 2025 Appropriation Act, but ASUU officials called the figure insufficient, noting that previous promises had never fully materialised.

ASUU’s response was swift. Piwuna labelled the late‑hour overture as “too late,” insisting the union had already given the administration three weeks—roughly 21 days—to act.

Impact on universities and students

With the strike now underway, the immediate fallout is evident. Lecture halls that once buzzed with 200‑plus students sit silent; research labs are shuttered; and administrative staff scramble to figure out payroll logistics. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which runs the payroll for federal universities, is poised to implement the “No Work, No Pay” directive, meaning that thousands of lecturers could see their salaries frozen within days.

Students, however, are caught in the crossfire. Under Nigeria’s current system, a semester typically lasts 16 weeks, and a two‑week interruption can push graduation dates back by months. Parents across the six geopolitical zones have already sounded alarms on radio stations, fearing that delayed graduations will affect job prospects and overseas scholarship deadlines.

Yet there’s a strange solidarity emerging. In Lagos, a group of final‑year medical students organized a hand‑wash station outside their faculty, offering free sanitizer to anyone passing by. "We’re not against the lecturers; we just want to finish our studies," one student said, half‑laughing, half‑crying.

Economically, the strike adds another layer of strain to Nigeria’s already fragile budget. Experts from the Centre for Economic Policy and Research estimate that a two‑week halt in university activity could cost the government roughly ₦1.2 billion in lost services and delayed research outputs.

What comes next?

What comes next?

Both sides say they are still open to talks. The union has set a deadline: if no meaningful progress is made by the end of the 14‑day period, ASUU may decide to extend the strike indefinitely.

President Tinubu, known for his market‑friendly approach, is expected to meet with senior ASUU leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja next week. Sources close to the president suggest that a “special task force” on tertiary education will be formed, but details remain fuzzy.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is reportedly preparing a contingency plan that would allow teaching assistants and adjunct staff to keep some courses running, albeit at a reduced capacity. Whether that plan will satisfy students or further inflame union members is still up in the air.

Key facts

  • Strike start: midnight, 13 October 2025
  • Duration announced: 14 days (possible extension)
  • Union members involved: ~35,000 academic staff across 44 federal universities
  • Government’s offer: 12 % increase in university budget for FY 2025/26
  • Enforcement threat: "No Work, No Pay" policy to suspend salaries

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did ASUU decide to strike now?

The union says the government ignored a two‑week ultimatum that began on 28 September 2025. Without any concrete funding or reforms, lecturers felt they had no choice but to halt work to pressure officials.

What does the "No Work, No Pay" rule mean for teachers?

It means that any lecturer who continues the strike after the government’s deadline will have their salary frozen until they return to work. The rule is already in place for public‑sector employees, but its enforcement during this strike would be the first time it’s applied to a nationwide university walk‑out.

How are students being affected?

Classes are cancelled, exam schedules are delayed, and some students fear that graduation dates will slip, jeopardising job offers and scholarship deadlines. A few campuses are trying to run limited courses with teaching assistants, but coverage is patchy.

What are the government’s next steps?

President Tinubu is set to meet ASUU leaders next week, and the Ministry of Education has promised a "special task force" to review university funding. Meanwhile, officials say they will proceed with the "No Work, No Pay" directive if the strike continues.

Could the strike lead to legal action?

If the stalemate persists, the federal government may seek a court injunction, as it did in 2022. Legal experts warn that another court battle could drag on for months, adding further uncertainty to the higher‑education sector.